NBB Round 43 (Regular Season): Pinheiros beat UniFacisa by two after a very close game

The games at this stage are more interesting as they can be crucial for the final standings in Regular Season. Despite we already know who is stronger and who is weaker, there may be still last minute surprises and upsets. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Twelfth-ranked UNIFACISA (17-17) was very close to win a game against first ranked Pinheiros (29-6) in Sao Paulo on Wednesday. Pinheiros managed to secure only two-point victory 83-81. However their fans expected much easier game. 25 personal fouls committed by UniFacisa helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of point guard Felipe Borges (188-2003) who helped to win the game recording 18 points. American point guard David Sloan (183-1999, college: ETSU) contributed with 8 points and 11 assists for the winners. Venezuelan guard Yohanner Sifontes (192-1995) answered with 12 points and 9 rebounds for UniFacisa. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Pinheiros have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain first place with 29-6 record. UniFacisa lost third consecutive game. They keep the twelfth position with 17 games lost. Pinheiros will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. UniFacisa will play on the road against Osasco (#20) and is hoping to prove to their supporters that they can break losing series.
Eighth-ranked Sao Jose (20-14) used its home court advantage to challenge second ranked Vivo/Franca (28-6). The visitors from Sao Paulo managed to secure only two-point victory 93-91. However their fans expected much easier game. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Sao Jose. It was a great evening for the former international point guard Georginho de Paula (197-1996) who led his team to a victory scoring 26 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Lucas Dias helped adding 22 points and 10 rebounds. At the losing side the former international guard Adyel Borges (190-2002) responded with 19 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Vivo/Franca have an impressive series of six victories in a row. Sesi/Franca maintains second place with 28-6 record behind leader Pinheiros. Sao Jose at the other side dropped to the ninth position with 14 games lost. Sesi/Franca will play against Mogi (#10) in Mogi das Cruzes in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Sao Jose will have a break next round.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Flamengo (25-9) against eleventh ranked U.Corinthians (18-15) on Tuesday night. Visiting Flamengo was defeated by U.Corinthians in a tough game in Santa Cruz do Sul 91-96. It was an exceptional evening for Jeremy Hollowell who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 18 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists. Shaquille Johnson came up with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists for Flamengo in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. U.Corinthians maintains eleventh place with 18-15 record. Flamengo lost their third game in a row. They dropped to the fifth position with nine games lost. U.Corinthians will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Flamengo will play against Caxias do Sul (#13) and hope to secure a win.

Other games in round 43 were not that significant. Cruzeiro was beaten by Minas on the road 101-88. Vasco was destroyed by Paulistano on its own court 69-96. Bauru unfortunately lost to Mogi in Mogi das Cruzes 79-87.
The most impressive performance of 43th round was 10 points and 7 rebounds by Duane Johnson of Mogi.



U.Corinthians - Flamengo 96-91

Very important is a road loss of third ranked Flamengo (25-9) against eleventh ranked U.Corinthians (18-15) on Tuesday night. Visiting Flamengo was defeated by U.Corinthians in a tough game in Santa Cruz do Sul 91-96. U.Corinthians looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. It was an exceptional evening for American Jeremy Hollowell (203-1994, college: Georgia St., agency: BIG) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 18 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists. His fellow American import point guard Nate Barnes (181-1990, college: ABU) accounted for 17 points and 5 assists for the winning side. American guard Shaquille Johnson (191-1990, college: Marshall) came up with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists and Argentinian forward Alex Negrete (192-2001) added 26 points respectively for Flamengo in the defeat. Five U.Corinthians and four Flamengo players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. U.Corinthians maintains eleventh place with 18-15 record. Flamengo lost their third game in a row. They dropped to the fifth position with nine games lost. U.Corinthians will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Flamengo will play against Caxias do Sul (#13) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
U.Corinthians: H.Jeremy 18+12reb+5ast, S.Devon 18+4reb+2ast, B.Nate 17+3reb+5ast, H.Rafael 16+1reb+1ast, B.Andre 12+4reb+7ast, F.Verissimo 7+2reb+1ast
Flamengo: N.Alex 26+2reb, S.Johnson 16+5reb+8ast, W.Ferreira 13+6reb, M.Cummings 12+4reb+3ast, F.Baralle 7+2reb+9ast, D.Lucas 6+4reb

Minas - Cruzeiro 101-88

No shocking result in a game when fifth ranked Minas (25-8) beat 14th ranked Cruzeiro (11-22) in Belo Horizonte 101-88 on Wednesday. Minas outrebounded Cruzeiro 43-30 including 33 on the defensive glass. Minas looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was an exceptional evening for American forward Erik McCree (202-1993, college: La Tech) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 10 rebounds. Forward Alexandre Paranhos (204-1992) accounted for 16 points and 7 rebounds for the winning side. The former international forward Tulio Da Silva (203-1996, college: Missouri St.) came up with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds and American guard Yosani Clay (193-2000, college: WOU) added 12 points and 4 assists respectively for Cruzeiro in the defeat. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Minas moved-up to fourth place. Cruzeiro lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the fourteenth position with 22 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Minas: A.Paranhos 16+7reb, W.Jordan 14+4reb+1ast, R.Rachel 14+4reb, M.Erik 13+10reb+2ast, F.Tim 13+1reb+8ast, F.Ricardo 12+6ast
Cruzeiro: T.Da Silva 18+10reb, D.Coleman 13+2reb+1ast, C.Yosani 12+2reb+4ast, I.Thornton 11+3reb+3ast, R.Ansaloni 10+4reb+2ast, W.Sena 8+2reb

Sao Jose - Sesi/Franca 91-93

Eighth-ranked Sao Jose (20-14) used its home court advantage to challenge second ranked Vivo/Franca (28-6). The visitors from Sao Paulo managed to secure only two-point victory 93-91. However their fans expected much easier game. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Sao Jose. Sesi/Franca made 17-of-20 charity shots (85.0 percent) during the game. It was a great evening for the former international point guard Georginho de Paula (197-1996) who led his team to a victory scoring 26 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. International center Lucas Dias (207-1995) helped adding 22 points and 10 rebounds. At the losing side the former international guard Adyel Borges (190-2002) responded with 19 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and Anderson Rodrigues (207-1997) scored 16 points and 6 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field). Five Sesi/Franca and four Sao Jose players scored in double figures. Vivo/Franca have an impressive series of six victories in a row. Sesi/Franca maintains second place with 28-6 record behind leader Pinheiros. Sao Jose at the other side dropped to the ninth position with 14 games lost. Sesi/Franca will play against Mogi (#10) in Mogi das Cruzes in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Sao Jose will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Sesi/Franca: d.Georginho 26+9reb+5ast, D.Lucas 22+10reb+1ast, J.David 16+5reb+5ast, L.Rodriguez 14+5reb+1ast, R.Mineiro 10+7reb+3ast, C.Bennett 2+2reb
Sao Jose: A.Borges 19+6reb+6ast, R.Anderson 16+6reb+1ast, L.dos Santos 13+2reb+3ast, M.Tavares 12+4reb, G.Lessa 11+1reb, M.Miller 8+5reb+2ast

Vasco - Paulistano 69-96

Very expected game when 19th ranked Vasco (6-28) was smashed by seventh ranked Paulistano (21-13) in Rio de Janeiro 96-69 on Wednesday. Paulistano made 18-of-23 free shots (78.3 percent) during the game. Paulistano outrebounded Vasco 36-23 including a 27-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. It was an exceptional evening for American guard Kaleb Hunter (193-1998, college: UNCG) who led the winners and scored 20 points (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). The former international Guilherme Abreu (200-1999) accounted for 11 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side. Paulistano's coach Demetrius Ferraciu felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Naturalized Italian forward Magna Silva (202-1998) came up with 17 points and guard Luiz Basilio (192-1991) added 13 points and 4 assists respectively for Vasco in the defeat. Paulistano maintains seventh place with 21-13 record. Loser Vasco dropped to the eighteenth position with 28 games lost. They share it with Cearense. Paulistano will meet Botafogo (#16) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Vasco will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Paulistano: K.Hunter 20+4reb+3ast, V.Silva 19+3reb+2ast, A.Guilherme 11+9reb+5ast, I.Leandro 9+3reb+1ast, E.Seixas 8+1reb, G.Macedo 7+4reb
Vasco: M.Silva 17+4reb+2ast, L.Basilio 13+4reb+4ast, S.Conceicao 8+4reb+4ast, L.Morgan 6+3reb+1ast, P.Nunes 6+1reb, L.Bearden 6+4ast

Pinheiros - UniFacisa 83-81

Twelfth-ranked UNIFACISA (17-17) was very close to win a game against first ranked Pinheiros (29-6) in Sao Paulo on Wednesday. Pinheiros managed to secure only two-point victory 83-81. However their fans expected much easier game. 25 personal fouls committed by UniFacisa helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of point guard Felipe Borges (188-2003) who helped to win the game recording 18 points. American point guard David Sloan (183-1999, college: ETSU) contributed with 8 points and 11 assists for the winners. Venezuelan guard Yohanner Sifontes (192-1995) answered with 12 points and 9 rebounds and the former international Jimmy Oliveira (190-1990) added 15 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for UniFacisa. Four UniFacisa players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Pinheiros have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain first place with 29-6 record. UniFacisa lost third consecutive game. They keep the twelfth position with 17 games lost. Pinheiros will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. UniFacisa will play on the road against Osasco (#20) and is hoping to prove to their supporters that they can break losing series.
Top scorers:
Pinheiros: F.Borges 18+3reb+3ast, N.Betinho 17+3reb+1ast, S.Agapy 13+8reb+1ast, Y.Barbosa 9+4reb, S.David 8+3reb+11ast, P.Pastre 6+3reb+1ast
UniFacisa: J.Oliveira 15+6reb+1ast, M.Johnson 13+1reb+2ast, Y.Sifontes 12+9reb+2ast, L.Victor 11+5reb, K.Anthony 10+1reb+4ast, H.Coelho 9+2reb+6ast

Mogi - Bauru 87-79

There was a small surprise when tenth ranked Mogi (19-16) won against 7th ranked Paschoalotto/Bauru (21-14) in Mogi das Cruzes 87-79 on Wednesday. Mogi looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. It was an exceptional evening for American guard Charles Hinkle (198-1988, college: American) who led the winners and scored 21 points and 5 rebounds. The former international center Andre Dikembe (206-1999) accounted for 16 points and 8 rebounds for the winning side. Four Mogi players scored in double figures. American point guard Dontrell Brite (175-1994, college: Mount Olive) came up with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists and the former international guard Alex Garcia (191-1980, agency: Interperformances) added 18 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Bauru in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Mogi maintains tenth place with 19-16 record. Loser Paschoalotto/Bauru dropped to the eighth position with 14 games lost. Mogi will meet at home league's second-placed Sesi/Franca in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Bauru will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Mogi: H.Charles 21+5reb+1ast, D.Andre 16+8reb+2ast, V.Chagas 10+6reb+1ast, C.Gabriel 10+2reb+6ast, J.Duane 10+7reb+3ast, R.Felipe 9+5reb+7ast
Bauru: A.Garcia 18+7reb+1ast, B.Dontrell 17+5reb+5ast, B.de Abreu Andrezao 11+9reb+1ast, J.Materan 9+1reb+1ast, G.Barbosa 8+10reb, I.Pedro 8+2ast